Cronulla's Jersey Flegg team solidified their spot in the top four with a gripping 38-28 victory over the Warriors on Saturday afternoon.
The Sharks struck in the opening two minutes through five-eighth Adrian Sandy after a penalty boosted them into good field position. Centre Nikora Williams was able to convert, giving Cronulla an early 6-0 lead.
The home side fired back into try-scoring range from another penalty as prop Felix Faatili powered over to make it two four-pointers inside the first five minutes. With Williams adding the extras, the Sharks led by 12.
It wasn't long before the Warriors hit back beside the posts with hooker Jeriko Filipi-Talisau crashing over in the 12th minute. Halfback Jett Cleary was able to convert, bringing the score back to a six-point margin.
Throughout the middle of the first half it was a tug of war with neither team able to get across and both showing solid defence.
Cronulla extended their lead to eight points with a Williams penalty goal nearing half-time.
With Cleary sent to the sin bin in the final two minutes, the Warriors were a man down, however they didn't give up and centre Brandon Norris touched down from a kick. Norris was unable to convert and the score remained 14-10 heading into the break.
The Warriors scored first when play resumed with fullback Joseph Ratcliffe flying under the posts to level the scores. Kahu Capper added the extras and put his team ahead for the first time.
However, Cronulla snatched back their lead with interchange forward Lachlan Araullo powering through the defence and securing the four points. Williams converted once more, pushing the score to 20-16.
Patchy defence from the Sharks gave Norris an opportunity to slide over for his second of the afternoon in the 55th minute, levelling the scores again. Cleary converted, giving the Warriors a two-point lead.
Cronulla didn't let this stop them when Faatili claimed his second after 60 minutes. With Williams adding to his clean record, the Sharks led 26-22.
Minutes later, second-rower Dylan Coutts found space and surged over the line. Williams then landed his sixth conversion, stretching the Sharks' lead to 10 points.
A skilful intercept from second-rower Alvin Chong Nee kept the away team's hopes alive with only nine minutes remaining, and with Cleary adding the two, it was back to a four-point margin.
To seal the deal for Cronulla on the back of a Warriors mistake, it was halfback Logan Clinch who saw an opportunity in the 77th minute. A perfect kicking streak from Williams took the Sharks' lead to 10 points.
After a gutsy performance from both sides it was the Sharks who snared the two points with 38-28 win against a strong Warriors outfit. Cronulla play the Fiji Silktails at Sharks Stadium on Thursday night.
